Description
Quick and flavorful Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Skillet. A simple, one-pan meal, perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Ingredients:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Flavor Boosters:
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (or more, I won’t tell!)
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- Pantry Staples:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Finishing Touches:
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep & Season the Chicken Thighs:: First things first, pat those chicken thighs super dry with paper towels. This is crucial for crispy skin, trust me! Then, generously season them all over with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. I’m always a bit heavy-handed with the salt here because I’ve learned the hard way that bland chicken is, well, bland. You want to feel like you’ve actually put some love into it, right?
- Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection:: Now, heat a large, oven-safe skillet (cast iron is my absolute favorite for this!) over medium-high heat with a little olive oil. Once shimmering, place the chicken thighs skin-side down. Let them sear undisturbed for about 8-10 minutes until the skin is deeply golden and crispy. This step creates so much flavor, don’t rush it! I sometimes get impatient and flip too early, and oops, no crispy skin. Lesson learned!
- Introduce the Green Beans & Aromatics:: Flip the chicken thighs over. Now, tuck those fresh green beans around the chicken in the skillet. Add the minced garlic and lemon zest to the pan, letting them cook for just about 1-2 minutes until fragrant. You’ll smell that amazing aroma filling your kitchen—that’s when you know you’re doing it right! Be careful not to burn the garlic; it can happen quickly!
- Craft the Tangy Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce:: Pour in the chicken broth and add the butter to the skillet. Let it all simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Those bits are pure flavor, my friend! This is where the magic really starts to happen for your Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs. The butter melts, the broth warms, and it all starts to combine into a beautiful, silky sauce.
- Simmer & Finish the Skillet:: Carefully transfer the skillet to your preheated oven. Let it bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the green beans are tender-crisp. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). I always use a meat thermometer here because guessing is just asking for undercooked or overcooked chicken, and nobody wants that!
- Garnish and Serve Your Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs:: Once out of the oven, squeeze fresh lemon juice all over everything. This brightens up the entire dish! If you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a lovely pop of color and freshness. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving, allowing those juices to redistribute. It’ll look, smell, and taste absolutely divine, I promise!